Early October
the trees
of Tennessee
were lit
… a welcome warmth
to the wayward traveler
who, in quiet desperation, left
the wires hanging
the boxes muted
turning down a two-lane
blaze of gold, crimson cast, orange peel
dripping wax down the sticks
puddles mixed in a slate dish
cool to the touch
a rain of ash
pouring down
that mirrored mountain
steeped in running rivers
and piping hot
a chimney cup
topped in
heavy cream
and dusted off
with cinnamon
TL
Millisecond
hummingbird
at her window
peeking in
zoom she went
grabbed her camera
off the counter
and flew back
to her room
hummingbird
was faster
TL
“Mirror, Mirror”
the king, the queen, the commoner
the legend, the lover, the loser
the matriarch, the minister, the mockers
the priest, the pirate, the pauper
TL
Aunt Cindy
she was
the younger sister
the golden child
always a lady
she married young
and had a son
and ended up
raising him alone
she was good
with numbers
and made a life
her mother came to visit
and never left
and there she was
young and beautiful
caring for her baby and mother
took its toll
weighed down on a small frame
heavyset and puffing
no one to turn to
so, she turned to food and retail highs
and as the years drew by
she found God
and cancer found her
and gave her back a small frame
she had no funeral
ended up in ashes
her soul finally free
to go home
TL
Retired
they don’t sleep
at night
they don’t wake up
in the morning
in late afternoon
they shuffle
there’s nothing
new in the paper
or on the tube
they’ve lived it
there’s nothing in the store
they’ve bought it
there’s no need for pills
they’re used to it
to this ache that never wanes
inside their shells
they’ve only just met
at the dime drugstore
and shared a milkshake
and held hands
and traded rings
and bought a house
and found the bedroom
their favorite room
and babies were born
and work was work
and children grew up
and they grew old
and the pilot light went out
and the night drew long
the wait unbearable
and they can’t even scream
they’re too tired to talk
they don’t sleep
at night
they don’t wake up
in the morning
in late afternoon
they shuffle
TL
Candles Burn
number’s changing
on the wall
level now
gone
the distance
half past
mirror down
fingers thawed
things as they are
under the tree
that prayer I prayed
answered in a different way
everything to live for
disbelief in all things good
believe the bad
the cruel, the custom-made
that comes a knocking
at your door
without a coat
of camouflage
muddy boots
and tracks
it’s the new
the squeaky clean
the polished patent leather
that’s got me shaking
parade of style
mask of power
steel toe
bolt the door
hush, don’t cry
barefoot in the corner
under the tree
TL
Midnight
three steps back
for every one
circle the floor
look up
at the chandelier
hear the strings
the ivory keys
was that my heart
somebody’s blocking
the door
it’s getting late
gotta go home
sometime
the gown’s too heavy
the slipper’s too tight
the expectation too much
there are no white knights
that was just a story to tell
but you can’t budge
the woman at the window
she’ll grow old there
like Mrs. Havisham
so, here’s a cup of tea
with honey
and here’s your song
hear the strings
the ivory keys
now, where was I …
TL
Funerals
nevertheless
she showed up
dress and heels
string of pearls
commandeered
an empty pew
way in the back
and found a spot
on the floor
and stared at it
it got her through
the appointed speakers
the poster prayer
the clammy hands
and out the door
to the blinding sun
and long, low shadows
to where the grass grows
and each crack in the sidewalk
draws you closer to your car
get in and shut the door
and take a breath
and turn the key
and drive away
wipers swishing
TL
Common Sense
the fly
found the fruit
pick up the magic wand
and he disappears
his radar ripe
in practiced flight
he’s gone to Kalamazoo
but he’ll be back
he always comes back
when I’m gone
TL
Bravo
there’s a small bird
that sings
in this tree
outside my door
and it’s still dark
with the moon about
but this bird doesn’t know
the difference
tweet, tweet, tweet
and the sun must have heard
spotlight’s on the bird
it draws a second wind
TWEET, TWEET, TWEET
TL
Peaks and Valleys
could feel
the static
slight turn
smile waiting
familiar
but can’t place it
fumble for words
for he knows me right off
but I can’t quite
and it’s a game
gives up a point
and tells me
of course
now, I know
and it’s good
to see him
to hear his voice
his laugh
and know he made it out
should have said as much
but there was an audience
so we reached
for the weather
and football
and “have a good day”
and watched him
walk away
back to life
TL